birding in and around Liverpool

[nodd]

i have posted this thred in the local patch forum then i found this one so i put here as well just in case :) hi all having just moved to liverpool i am look for birding sites in and around the area i have been to formby point and maritn mere and have hade a great time at bot. could any one recomend any other places i could go too

[Johnny1]

There's Marshside (Southport) which is just up the coast from you or even closer to home there's Crosby Marina there used to be a reserve there btu it's now closed to the public. If you want to go further afield you could try Wigan Flashes or Pennington Flash. While you were at Martin Mere you could have visited Mere Sands reserve which is only 1 mile from Martin Mere.

[nodd]

There's Marshside (Southport) which is just up the coast from you or even closer to home there's Crosby Marina there used to be a reserve there btu it's now closed to the public. If you want to go further afield you could try Wigan Flashes or Pennington Flash. While you were at Martin Mere you could have visited Mere Sands reserve which is only 1 mile from Martin Mere.

thanks for that Johnny1 for that info :t:

[mav12]

marbury country park cheshire about 27 miles from liverpool
moore nature reserve although i havent ben there as yet

[SiG]

Lunt / Sefton Meadows

The Mosses - Downholland, Plex, Halsall, Formby etc

In Liverpool: Sefton Park for Kingfisher, Jay, GSW, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, warblers

LOADS of places on the Wirral ...

There's stacks of info on Merseyside on these boards if you hunt around. The search function is useful. As are Merseybirdblog and Crosby Birding websites.

[mav12]

where have you seen kingfishers in sefton park sig

[SiG]

In and around the landscaped oriental garden that goes under the decorative wrought iron bridge on Mossley Hill Drive that you can no longer drive over. Most people who went looking for it in January this year found it, including several on these boards. I don't know of anyone who's been in recent weeks but it's definitely worth a look.

[mav12]

thanks sig will check it out

[nodd]

thank you all for your help it has given me some good starting points

[Ben Dickinson]

I've heard about the Kingfisher at Sefton for years, seems to be an occasional/regular winter visitor.

Additionally to that list, depending on where you live any of the parks are good local patch material - the quieter the better naturally. I play a lot of golf and combine it with birdwatching on Allerton Golf course.

Childwall Woods is also a nice site which has breeding Bullfinches nearby, plus other decent records there such as Reed Bunting and regular spring Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers in the meadow area.

Which area of Liverpool have you moved to?

[nodd]

I've heard about the Kingfisher at Sefton for years, seems to be an occasional/regular winter visitor.

Additionally to that list, depending on where you live any of the parks are good local patch material - the quieter the better naturally. I play a lot of golf and combine it with birdwatching on Allerton Golf course.

Childwall Woods is also a nice site which has breeding Bullfinches nearby, plus other decent records there such as Reed Bunting and regular spring Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers in the meadow area.

Which area of Liverpool have you moved to?

Hi Ben
I live in the norris green area i went to Croxteh park the other day and had good views of nuthatch and treecreeper.

[mav12]

i have heard theres a spot between altcourse prison and fazakerly hospital that has some bird life i havent been for a look yet

[mal300]

I've had kingfisher at Croxteth Country Park on more than a few ocassion.

Sig is quite right in his posts about the Mosses...... Plex moss in particular for ALL english owls.

Mere Sands (LTNC reserve).... is always a good site, espacially after a few hours at Martin mere...... ends the day really well.

A trip down to the LTNC reserve at Seaforth is always good for all sorts of waders, gulls & meadow birds etc

[Ben Dickinson]

i have heard theres a spot between altcourse prison and fazakerly hospital that has some bird life i havent been for a look yet
I advise you check that site out, I went there around 3 years ago, the tiny wood there had red squirrels and the scrubland around Fazakerley itself held Spotted Flycatcher and Lesser Whitethroat, amongst other things. There's also a site near the cemetery which has Alexandrine Parakeets, though didn't see em on that occasion. It's a shame it's a bugger to get to for me or I'd have been there again since...

[mav12]

whereabout in croxteth park have you seen kingfishers mal i only live 5 mins away tend not to go there a lot
will check out fazakerly site soon only 10 mins away
spotted a kingfisher at mere sands twicw now and had a quick glimpse of a barn owl last night
hoping to get back first light tommorrow to try and see it again

[2520years]

I'm sorry to ask a non-bird question, but it's linked to this thread...

We're thinking of buying a house in Liverpool, but we don't know the best areas or the areas to avoid. Would someone be kind enough to give us some clues? We can tell from the house prices, but they don't always tell the whole story. Again, sorry for asking a non-bird question, but we could do with as much information as possible before buying.

We live in Warrington and I've found Pennington Flash is always worth a visit. Moore Nature Reserve (near Walton Gardens) isn't bad, I've not seen many rarities there when I've been though. I've always found Risley Moss disappointing, probably because I've never seen anything from the tower. Houghton Green Flash is pleasant and tends to get birds passing through, e.g. black-necked grebes. Those are the main places near Warrington.

[Mostly Autumn]

The other week I was in Sefton Park and noticed a nesting Great Crested Grebe which was great too see.

2520 years look at buying a house in South Liverpool if you can.

[2520years]

Thanks Mostly Autumn.

[ColinD]

i have posted this thred in the local patch forum then i found this one so i put here as well just in case :) hi all having just moved to liverpool i am look for birding sites in and around the area i have been to formby point and maritn mere and have hade a great time at bot. could any one recomend any other places i could go too

Crosby Marina gets loads of good stuff especially at migration time, and it's well worth a sea watch from there too (you won't find many better places in the UK for Leach's Petrel).

The mosslands inland of Southport are also good (around Downholland, Halsall, Great Altcar, Rainford etc.).

[Mostly Autumn]

I noticed a pair of Ruddy Ducks on Calderstones Park Lake this week and Crosby Marina often has Little Gulls on it.

I don't know how many of you know about this weekly blog on the Liverpool Echo page about all of the local birding,check it out here.

http://birdblog.merseyblogs.co.uk/archives/2007/05/swallows_martin.html
Apparently there were 24 pairs of Avocets nesting at Marshside this year.B (:

It's on the right hand side of the main page.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/

[Buddhist Vegan Birder]

Crosby Marina there used to be a reserve there btu it's now closed to the public.

Hiya,

on the Liverpool RSPB site there is info about the Seaforth Docks Reserve (is this the same one you are thinking of when you mention Crosby Marina?)...

http://www.rspbliverpool.org.uk/crosby.htm

...I phoned the number (about halfway down the page on the link) and spoke to Steve White, the County Recorder, just today. He said that the reserve is generally closed to the public, but individuals and groups can still visit if arrangements are made 7 days in advance. So I'll be arranging to go asap.

I'm fairly new to birding with a cheap pair of 10x50 bins, currently saving for a budget scope set-up (still going to set me back just over £500!), but I have found so many sites locally which appear to be wonderful for birding... my local park, Newsham Park, has resident Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Grey Herons, a Great Crested Grebe dropped in recently for a few weeks, along with many others. I also like Hilbre Island/Dee Estuary, Freshfield Pinewoods, Formby Point (saw a pair of Willow Warblers by the pond there), Sefton coastline from Waterloo up to Hightown/Alt Estuary, Martin Mere, Mere Sands... not yet been to Marshside, but I am planning on going this Sunday.

Lisa

[SiG]

Hi Lisa

Seaforth needs to be a bit more spontaneous than that in general, don't you think? You can peer through the fence, feel very hard done by, but usually see anything rare that's turned up. The current system stinks, and whereas I'm sure the birders who administer it do their best it really ought to nark - I'm glad they allow you in at seven days notice, but are you going alone? I've always been told I'm not allowed on my own as I might be a terrorist! Utter crap. So I prefer to peer through the fence and feel hard done by - tick and rush at Seaforth, to somewhere far more salubriuous! Shame, it could be so much better.

Marshside is the gem round here - no elitist fences, no admission fees, and a huge variety of habitat. Don't stick to the hides or you'll miss most of the point of the place. And do say hi, if you see any altruistic humanist omnivores, if you can bear to!

[Buddhist Vegan Birder]

Hiya SiG,

I'm not at all keen on the whole idea of getting permission to be allowed to visit a reserve and it goes against my ideals, but that's 'Big Brother' for you. I am planning on going on my own as I don't know anyone else locally yet that is into birding. Steve White said to give him a call and he would give me an idea of what to look out for when I get there.

I just got back from a great evening birding along the flats from Hall Road to Hightown/Alt Estuary and got 3 (possibly 4) more ticks... Shag x2, Sanderling x15-ish, Black-Tailed Godwit x30 or more ...possible 4th being female Bar-Tailed Godwit, but not sure whether or not I was hallucinating, ha ha! Plus the usual Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Redshank, Great Black-Backed Gull (and juvenile), Swallows, Grey Heron, Black-Headed Gulls, Lapwing, Shelduck, Oystercatchers, Stonechats, etc.

Lisa

[SiG]

Hi Lisa,

Do tell Steve White about the 2 shags, that's a great record for this part of the world. And there's every chance of it being a Barwit if it on the shoreline.

I've just come back from that way myself, but on the train from town - barn owl over the meadows between Hall Rd and Hightown was good.

[Buddhist Vegan Birder]

Hiya SiG,

I gave Steve White a ring about the 2x Shag I saw and he seemed happy. I didn't realise that they were not so common around these parts.

Lisa

[mav12]

sig what time did you spot the barn owl
i am stilll after a decent photo trouble is they seem to show as the light is going
best effort so far

[SiG]

Around 9pm.

Nearly always see one in the 15 mins after the sun sets at the Crossens end of Marshside too, and on a good day up to half an hour before as well, when the light is better.

[mav12]

cheers sig off work next week so may try a dawn recce

[Buddhist Vegan Birder]

Hiya,

I have been to Martin Mere today (and last Tuesday) on a course/guided birding days with Andy Bunting. I found it really helpful, being new to it all, to get some guidance in the field viewing and identifying birds from someone with a lot more experience. It has helped me understand a little more what to look for in plumage, behaviours, calls, etc., which I had read about but it hadn't quite clicked until I saw it in front of me. I also found many birders at Marshide more than willing to answer my silly questions too! Ha ha!

I saw my first Barn Owl today from the Ron somebody hide (I can't remember the surname... is that terribly disrespectful?) during daylight which was awesome. I had heard owls in the past but never seen one and the brief view we had was spectacular. Also had very good close views of a Marsh Harrier...

Marsh Harrier
Barn Owl
Treecreeper
Reed Warbler, apparently, too quick for me to view in bins
Common Buzzard
Pintail
Teal
Snipe
Green Sandpiper
Common Sandpiper
Kestrel
Ruff
Black-Tailed Godwit
Common Gull
Pheasant (male and female)
Lapwing
Wigeon
...and the regulars too.

Lisa

[28vanelli]

Hi everyone,
I'm intrigued by the various Sefton Park sightings as the most exotic birds I've seen there have been blue tits and great tits (hey, they may be common but at least they're more colourful than the magpies and crows) - where's the best place in the park to see Jays, Nuthatches and Treecreepers?
Also, has anyone had any unusual sightings following the draining of the lake? (For non-locals, the park is currently being 'improved' by lopping down a lot of established trees and draining the lakes http://liverpoolrspb.blogspot.com/).
I went there last week and saw a grey wagtail, which is a first for me, then stopped by Greenbank Park, which is much smaller but has a non-drained pond, so I thought it might get the refugees from Sefton. And there was a cormorant, which surveyed the lake for five minutes or so before departing, which was quite a sight for one of Liverpool's smaller parks.
Oh, and I'm sure I've heard a tawny owl in Sefton, and any hints as to where best to see it would be gratefully received!

[Buddhist Vegan Birder]

Have been out of touch with birding for a few months due to work and life in general, but trying to find time...

...amongst the usual suspects, saw a few Grey Plover at Hall Road on the mud (low tide) by the coastguard station this evening... about 7 or 8 in total, some in summer plumage and others moulting into summer plumage...

...also Barn Owl over golf course/fields by coastguard station about 8.30pm.

Lisa x

[Wiley]

hi all. I am normally rather quiet on here. I dont really get much chance to get on. But as I am from Liverpool, and I go out birding whenever I can, I thought you lot might like to add a couple of areasto your local lists.

Hale circular. i.e Hale village from the Childe of Hale pub, through the park and woodland to the shore, then left past the light house to Within way, then left and back into the village will keep you busy for a an afternoon.

Buzzard, curlew, goldfinch, shelduck, mallard, teal etc are the usual suspects I expect to come across, but I often get stonechat, ringed plover, bar tailed godwitt, peregrine, widgeon etc. Late evening can produce barn owl, short eared owl (on the final leg looking across to the decoy), and I have even had Ross's goose for several days a couple of years ago!

If anyone would like to meet up in the village over the winter I would be happy to show them the route I take.

Another regular for me is my back garden! I currently have flocks of goldfinch (30-40+) coming into my feeders, not more than ten feet from my back door, in full site of me. I live in a new estate off east prescot road, so not exactly countryside. If you are within reach of any of the parks, get feeding! I only feed niger and sunflower hearts. Dont feel there is any need for anything else.

Anyway, good luck this winter. I am just sorting out which of the big tides I will chasing along the Welsh coast from the Spinnies to Colwyn Bay...now thats a good day out, and another story...

[mav12]

i have been trying to get goldfinches for ages now but no joy
get everything else i only live a couple of miles from you as well

[Wiley]

i have been trying to get goldfinches for ages now but no joy
get everything else i only live a couple of miles from you as well


Today...40+ goldfinch, blue tit, great tit, dunnock, robin, wren, blackbird, crow, jackdaw, greenfinch, collard dove, a sparrowhawk twice, and a heron overhead. All while I washed the dishes and made my lunch!

[2520years]

i have been trying to get goldfinches for ages now but no joy
get everything else i only live a couple of miles from you as well

I suppose you've tried Nyjer seed. It always works for me.

[mav12]

yep bought a niger feeder as well no joy just bought a diferent type to try again

[SiG]

Mav, I put up a niger feeder summer of 2003 and didn't see the first goldfinch on it til late the following spring (although I did get a single redpoll on it the day after a dramatic storm in January 04!) ... now I get dozens. It takes some time for them to find it, and probably out of season for naturally occuring thistle seeds, etc.

If you've nowt better to do today there are 3 cattle egrets on Downholland Moss at present (or were 15 mins ago ...)

[gareth_blockley]

1 (maybe 2) Swallow seen over the dunes at Crosby yesturday (Tuesday).

Gareth

[2520years]

Mav, I put up a niger feeder summer of 2003 and didn't see the first goldfinch on it til late the following spring (although I did get a single redpoll on it the day after a dramatic storm in January 04!) ... now I get dozens. It takes some time for them to find it, and probably out of season for naturally occuring thistle seeds, etc.

If you've nowt better to do today there are 3 cattle egrets on Downholland Moss at present (or were 15 mins ago ...)

As far as you know are the cattle egrets still there? I might have a spare couple of hours tomorrow.

[bradinho]

A quick sprint down the East lancs (A580) will land you at Carr Mill Dam the biggest water body in NW.
Very good for Gt Cr Grebes. Apparantely very good to as its the last place to freeze over in extreme weather....I have yet to see this ut check out this link for sites in and around St Helens
http://www.birdwatchinginsthelens.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sightings.htm

[28vanelli]

Went for a walk around Liverpool's Sefton Park lake and was surprised to see a wader in the drained, muddy lake, striding up and down next to what water still remains (I was walking along what would be the right hand bank going away from where the old pirate ship used to be).

I'm not the best at wader idents, but brown back, white breast, straight black back, black bit at bottom of tail seems to narrow it down to dunlin or knot. As it was on the smallish side I'd guess dunlin, but would be grateful if anyone could either corroborate it or correct me.